I have TWO pairs of these headphones. I apologize for how messy my ear tips look and my original device.
The good:
- you have a bluetooth and mp3 player mode (you have to pick one)
- can pair with 1 bluetooth device at a time
- is water proof (even salt water proof; hence why sony includes the silicon tips don't ignore that)
- can be an mp3 player in a world where stand alone players are a luxury
- can last 8 hours if used only as an mp3 player
The bad:
- you have a bluetooth and mp3 player mode (you have to pick one; you may not like this)
- no LDAC, AAC, etc. Just normal SBC
- files MUST be mp3 (no ogg, m4a, flac, alac, etc)
- the mic echoes or catches ambient noise on the side of the person you are speaking too (noise canceling is just for you)
- the mic will break if you dive with these after a few weeks/months
- the contacts will rust after 3 years of use in salt and fresh water (please see the light green on the contacts in the picture on the golden charging contacts on the inside of the band)
- lasts about 6 hours connected as a BT headset
I have learned to love my headsets based on the features they provide for me even though there is no LDAC or AAC support. In spite of the lack of HD audio, this player provides a very welcomed feature in modern day where I can pair it with my phone but then just ignore the phone and listen to music. The mp3 requirement is a hassle I wish Sony was okay with OGG or even M4A as this allows us to put in more music with less file size given the hard 4 gb (realistically 3.4 Gb) storage limit. Its also the only certifiably salt water proof mp3 player. The silicon tips really help prevent corrosion in the driver. The reason why I have two is because after using one pair in the pool and ignoring this care requirement, the driver on the left side (where water would mostly go in) would leak into the driver and now makes the sound a little unbalanced.
if you must ignore the silicon tip advice sony provides to hear your music more loudly under the water, I would suggest looking for some triple flange earbud tips. The three flanges prevent water from leaking into your ear, nice, and also prevent water from seeping into the driver also. You want to get the ones with the opening pictured here because while it may seem like they won't fit the sony mp3 player, they will its silicone and its meant to stretch. You want a really right fit on the bud as well as your ears to ensure a good seal to prevent water but also have a decent level of loudness when doing lap swimming.
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Finally Earbuds I Can Swim With
I swim a lot in the summer but it's hard to listen to music. These are the answer. Completely waterproof. Very reasonable price point. Holds more files than you could ever need and easy to load. Comes with several different bud covers so you will find one that fits your ear. Comes with regular and "swimming" although it's hard to tell the difference. The fit is a little difficult. I have a small head and small ears, so the unit doesn't fit snug. It comes with a little rubber band "adaptor" that kind of shortens up the cord to make it fit better, not snug, but it doesn't move at all. Also does not fit around my ears. Smaller sizes would be welcome. Buds stay in my ears just fine while swimming, and the sound is phenomenal!!! Be aware that the unit can not Bluetooth in the water, and you can only load mp3 files. The only other downside is that the controls are small and very close together and easily pushed by mistake. Something to get used to. Comes with charging port which is a bit unwieldy but again, just need to get used to it. I highly recommend if you really like to listen to something while you swim!
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2022Color: BlackVerified Purchase
I have TWO pairs of these headphones. I apologize for how messy my ear tips look and my original device.
The good:
- you have a bluetooth and mp3 player mode (you have to pick one)
- can pair with 1 bluetooth device at a time
- is water proof (even salt water proof; hence why sony includes the silicon tips don't ignore that)
- can be an mp3 player in a world where stand alone players are a luxury
- can last 8 hours if used only as an mp3 player
The bad:
- you have a bluetooth and mp3 player mode (you have to pick one; you may not like this)
- no LDAC, AAC, etc. Just normal SBC
- files MUST be mp3 (no ogg, m4a, flac, alac, etc)
- the mic echoes or catches ambient noise on the side of the person you are speaking too (noise canceling is just for you)
- the mic will break if you dive with these after a few weeks/months
- the contacts will rust after 3 years of use in salt and fresh water (please see the light green on the contacts in the picture on the golden charging contacts on the inside of the band)
- lasts about 6 hours connected as a BT headset
I have learned to love my headsets based on the features they provide for me even though there is no LDAC or AAC support. In spite of the lack of HD audio, this player provides a very welcomed feature in modern day where I can pair it with my phone but then just ignore the phone and listen to music. The mp3 requirement is a hassle I wish Sony was okay with OGG or even M4A as this allows us to put in more music with less file size given the hard 4 gb (realistically 3.4 Gb) storage limit. Its also the only certifiably salt water proof mp3 player. The silicon tips really help prevent corrosion in the driver. The reason why I have two is because after using one pair in the pool and ignoring this care requirement, the driver on the left side (where water would mostly go in) would leak into the driver and now makes the sound a little unbalanced.
if you must ignore the silicon tip advice sony provides to hear your music more loudly under the water, I would suggest looking for some triple flange earbud tips. The three flanges prevent water from leaking into your ear, nice, and also prevent water from seeping into the driver also. You want to get the ones with the opening pictured here because while it may seem like they won't fit the sony mp3 player, they will its silicone and its meant to stretch. You want a really right fit on the bud as well as your ears to ensure a good seal to prevent water but also have a decent level of loudness when doing lap swimming.
Images in this review
- Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2024Color: BlackVerified Purchase
I swim a lot in the summer but it's hard to listen to music. These are the answer. Completely waterproof. Very reasonable price point. Holds more files than you could ever need and easy to load. Comes with several different bud covers so you will find one that fits your ear. Comes with regular and "swimming" although it's hard to tell the difference. The fit is a little difficult. I have a small head and small ears, so the unit doesn't fit snug. It comes with a little rubber band "adaptor" that kind of shortens up the cord to make it fit better, not snug, but it doesn't move at all. Also does not fit around my ears. Smaller sizes would be welcome. Buds stay in my ears just fine while swimming, and the sound is phenomenal!!! Be aware that the unit can not Bluetooth in the water, and you can only load mp3 files. The only other downside is that the controls are small and very close together and easily pushed by mistake. Something to get used to. Comes with charging port which is a bit unwieldy but again, just need to get used to it. I highly recommend if you really like to listen to something while you swim!
Images in this review
Top reviews from other countries
- andreaReviewed in Canada on July 19, 2022
Love those and use it in pool 4x a week
Color: BlackVerified Purchase -
Abel AyluardoReviewed in Mexico on February 18, 2022
Excelentes para nadar!, y la transferencia de música muy sencilla!
Color: BlackVerified Purchase -
Giuliano Marcus BiancoReviewed in Brazil on February 5, 2021
Fone bom, mas com chiado do lado direito
Color: BlackVerified Purchase -
Geert-BELGIUMReviewed in the Netherlands on October 27, 2021
Bedroevende aankoop.
Color: BlackVerified Purchase - Mark ChisholmReviewed in the United Kingdom on February 19, 2020
Gym Perfect
Color: BlackVerified Purchase
I think I've had every generation of these types of Sony MP3 Walkman's and not every iteration has been an improvement on the last in terms of usability or fitment. I'm pleased to say that these are definitely better than my previous generation which, is a real relief given the cost uplift.Mark ChisholmGym Perfect
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 19, 2020
That being said I got these for under £100 which, is less than a pair of half decent buds alone and you do clearly get more for you money. And a lot of packaging. And that's not entirely a good thing today - see photo.
Firstly, sound quality. Good. Not superb but perfectly decent for gym use or swimming if that's your bag. The sound is not base heavy and is slightly bright which of course suits some music better than other types. I'm a metal fan and I like a bit more low down to get a good chug going which, I find is the perfect accompaniment to heavy gym lifting. It's perfectly acceptable but I found my Bose Soundsports better in that regard.
The sound is perfect for voice though, and as I'm an Audible fan this is a real plus point. Speech clear and legible at all sound levels.
One of the selling points is the ability of these to be used in water and in the spirit of investigation I have done so using the supplied ear buds that have a fine seal over the sound emitting orifice. The sound quality is in no way reduced as far as I can tell. It's still good overall. What is noticeable is that the volume level is lower which, is acceptable as long as you crank the volume up.
Fitment and security of fit is brilliant. Absolutely superb. I'm not sure what sport you would have to be doing to get these to come loose but you would probably be at risk of your head coming off first. And despite the very good fit they are comfortable for long term use.
The design is similar to all previous similar Sony players. Whilst not as small as Bluetooth only earbuds they are well crafted to sit flush to your head and stick out less than the likes of the aforesaid Bose Soundsports. In other words you won't look like an extra from the Star Trek bridge.
Controls are easy to use once your memory muscle has kicked in and your fingers learned where they need to go.
Where these are an upgrade in cost over the cheaper version is the addition of Bluetooth which, means you have options. You can stream media from your phone or suitable player as well as use the integrated MP3 player.
The MP3 player is what I need for the gym because the gym I use is large and using Bluetooth earphones or buds results in dropouts if I leave my phone on a shelf. And I hate having to carry an MP3 player or phone in a pocket.
One thing to note is that all my previous Sony MP3 Walkmen carked it suddenly after 18 to 24 months. This is irritating because I've had other players and wireless earbuds that work well past that point. However the convenience of these Sony's is enough for me to accept that every couple of years I'll need to replace them.
Overall, I genuinely don't believe there is a better active MP3 player. Some alternatives sound better, haver better battery life or options but none come close to covering all the bases as much as these do.
Images in this review
